Apple Pencil Pro disconnects after iPadOS 26 update – shows battery but not connected

EHLEE75 wrote:

as of Nov 4, I updated my iPad to iOS 26.1, and that did not fix the issue. By the way, I erroneously said I had an Apple Pencil pro but I actually have Apple Pencil 2nd generation.

also after factory resetting my iPad again, when I attach the pencil to my iPad, it has a rotating pencil appearing on the side of the iPad where my pencil will magnetically attach. But still iPad does not recognize it

Your Apple Pencil is exhibiting symptoms of a failing/failed battery - that will not reliably accept or hold any charge.

The tiny internal Li-ion battery is susceptible to permanent/irreversible damage through being left discharged for long periods. Even some “new” pencils can exhibit signs of failure out-of-the-box if they are “old stock”. It is essential that if you have an Apple Pencil that you charge it regularly - whether used or not - so as to protect the battery from deep-discharge. Do not allow a pencil to remain in low-charge state for any period of time - as the internal battery will fail, rendering the Pencil useless. Setting aside an unused Pencil, for extended periods, is a recipe for premature death of the Pencil battery.

If the Pencil Battery has failed, the only remedy is to replace the Pencil. If the battery has failed and your pencil is within its one-year warranty, you should look to having it replaced by your retailer or at an Apple Store.

You would be best advised to visit the Genius Bar at your local Apple Store or Apple Authorised Service Provider (AASP) - where the technicians will be able to test and assess your iPad and Pencil. If a fault is identified, you’ll be in the best possible place to explore your available options:

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

skysetter wrote:

I'm back to report that my apple pencil, which is thankfully within warranty, would not work on any ipad in the apple store. They will replace mine under warranty.

The most common fix the apple store has seen is to attach your pencil that is not working to a compatible ipad and it may reset and work again on your ipad. This didn't work for me but hopefully it will work for you. I purchased a backup apple pencil so hopefully I can continue to work if this happens again.

For the benefit of other readers, pairing and testing with another compatible iPad is recommended - as this test establishes if the Pencil itself is serviceable...

If the Pencil doesn't pair with another compatible iPad, you will have demonstrated that the Pencil itself is defective. By contrast, successful pairing and operation shows that the Pencil is functional; any issues will therefore be with the original iPad.

Back in October 2025 I was experiencing the same issue on iPadOS 26 and 26.1.

It got fixed by resetting network settings.

To reset your iPad's network settings, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPad > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

BE AWARE: this removes saved Wi-Fi passwords, cellular settings, and Bluetooth connections, requiring you to re-enter them and reconnect (it doesn't delete personal data like photos or apps). You might be okay if you are storing them on another device, but you'll have to reenter them on the affected iPad after a network settings reset.

I’ve experienced a similar issue after updating to iPadOS 26.0. Every time I power off and then turn my iPad Air (M2) back on, my Apple Pencil Pro is no longer connected. I have to physically detach and reattach it to get it working again. On a few occasions, it even disconnected while I was actively using it.

I tried connecting my Apple Pencil Pro to someone else’s iPad and it worked fine. But when I used their Apple Pencil Pro on my iPad, the same issue occurred.

I’ve tried several solutions suggested by Apple Support, including resetting settings and re-pairing the Pencil, but nothing has worked so

far.

This error isn’t shown anymore at ipad os 26.0.1.

Update and try it.

I’m back to say that there is no easy way, if at all, to downgrade or reverse an os update. This was the 2nd time I experienced this issue. The first time it happened I was able to forget the pencil in Bluetooth, reboot, attach, connect and it went back to working as normal. This time I found ipados had a new update available 26.0.1. I forgot the pencil in Bluetooth, updated, rebooted, connected pencil, and still experienced the “connected for 5 seconds” then it continued to disconnect again after fiddling for about an hour (yes, I’m patient), It took me walking away for about 1.5 hrs with the pencil charged and connected, to come back to all equipment working as it should again. I used the pencil pro to complete my project last night and did some tweaks to the project today without issue. If I was to speculate what is happening is the Apple Pencil pro app and linked software continues to update in the background well after the original update completes. I use it with the affinity and procreate products on my iPad Air m3 purchased this year. I have no other equipment or app issues except this.

I had the same issue after updating to iOS 26.

Yesterday I went to the Apple Store, but they didn’t fix my issue. They said about three options: first one is to replace my pencil, second downgrade to previous version, or you place the pin.

I came back to the office and connected my pencil to another device with iOS 18.after that I connected my pencil to my original device and it started working again. That way was posted in this thread previously.

I hope Apple will fix the issue.

I am also having exactly the same issue after upgrading my iPad Pro (12.9-inch) (5th generation) to iPadOS version 26.0.1.

1. When I attach my Apple pencil pro to the iPad, the iPad will recognize that I have attached an Apple Pencil as it will pop up a chat bubble with Apple Pencil written in it
2. But I cannot use it
3. I deleted it from Bluetooth and tried to re-install it, but it will NOT connect
4. I tried to delete the entire iPad and restored it, but it is still showing the same symtoms
5. I deleted the network settings, but it still has the same issue
6. I used the pen on a co-worker's iPad Pro, and it is being recognized. He has the foresight to not install iOS 26.0.1, and he's currently using 18.x version
7. This clearly tells me that something in iOS 26.0.1 is blocking my Apple pencil pro from connecting to my iPad Pro.

At this point in time, I do not know what to do, and I am looking up information on how to revert back to iOS 18.x, but it sounds like too much trouble.

Apple needs to step in and fix this issue for many users who are having similar issues like this.

By the way, I am also having Bluetooth Siri/ Mic issue when using Carplay in my 2024 Tiguan. I'm using my iPhone 15 Pro which I upgraded to iOS 26.x. This is sooo frustrating to me...

Yes. you right. but I tested my pad with other pencil and my pencil with other pad at service center. and this issue is shown only iPadOS 26 with my pad and pencil.

It can't be described as hardware issue.

Update: It works now... for now...

I have no idea what happened, and I think there's a good chance that it was pure random chance that it started working again, but here are the things that occurred between it not working and it suddenly working again:

• Full Settings Reset (the one buried in the transfer settings)
• Leaving the iPad and Pencil alone and on standby for about a day or two (they weren't removed from each other)
• Letting the iPad charge to 100% and stay at that for a bit (I forgot to turn on the battery saver option after the full settings reset)

I have no idea if this will help anyone else, but here's to hoping that maybe some part of this will be useful...

Or it's just pure random chance and whether it works or even if it stays working, is all up to the roll of the dice.

My situation is similar. Every iteration of iPadOS 26 Public Beta has had this Pencil Pro disconnect issue. Mine shows connected in System Settings > Bluetooth when I remove Pencil and reattach. After between 5-8 seconds it always disconnects no matter where I go in the interface or app I bring up.

One time a few OS 26 versions back, resetting Network Settings solved the problem. I tested the connection successfully for about 5 min then put it away. Next day, it was disconnecting again consistently after 5 secs. Resetting Network Settings has never worked since. I've restarted many times, kept the Pencil away until it discharged (then let it recharge fully), and have charged iPad to 100% over a number of weeks during the Beta period so far without success.

I had no problems whatsoever in iOS 18 for many months.

I’m experiencing the same issue on an iPad Pro 13” M4 with an Apple Pencil Pro. No problems whatsoever on 18.x,

but on 26.0.1 the pencil gets disconnected and becomes unusable.

I’ve just tried resetting network settings and that seems to be helping. I’ll report back in a few hours if the issue persists.

I'm back to report that my apple pencil, which is thankfully within warranty, would not work on any ipad in the apple store. They will replace mine under warranty.

The most common fix the apple store has seen is to attach your pencil that is not working to a compatible ipad and it may reset and work again on your ipad. This didn't work for me but hopefully it will work for you. I purchased a backup apple pencil so hopefully I can continue to work if this happens again.

jongho75 wrote:

Please, apple developer and QA focuses on this problem.

This is a user-to-user technical community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitors nor participates within this Community. As such, any comments that you post here will not be seen by Apple Support or its Developers.

Apple invites submission of comments and bug reports via its Product Feedback portal. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

When submitting your report, ensure that you include your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body of your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list aline - as this rarely includes the most recent models and versions.

Otherwise, you might consider seeking assistance directly from Apple Support. You can contact the Support Team using the Support link at top-right or bottom-left of this page. Alternatively, you can initiate and manage your support cases from Apple devices using the excellent Apple Support App. If not already installed, the App can be downloaded from the App Store:

https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-support/id1130498044

kennan144 wrote:

Same exact issue. Brand new Apple Pencil Pro. Brand new iPad Air M3. You should be *expletive* embarrassed for yourselves, Apple. First IOS 26, now this. Get it together or refund us not just for the products, but for the time wasted. Seriously, after switching 8-9 years ago, I'm legitimately thinking of returning to Android.

Please!

iPadOS 26 is in its early days - and will doubtless improve and clear residual bugs over time. As with all software products, due to shear numbers, it is inevitable that end-users will encounter issues that have slipped through beta testing.

When you discover a repeatable software issue, it is in your own best interest to submit a Bug Report via Apple's Product Feedback Portal. For iPad and iPadOS:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

When submitting a Bug Report, ensure that you include details of your iPad model and installed version of iPadOS within the body-text of your report. Don't rely upon the pick-list - as this rarely includes the current versions.

You are of course free to choose Android or Apple to best meet your needs. In the grand scheme of things, neither will notice your individual uptake or departure.

In addition to Bug Reports and Feature Requests, Apple also invite submission of comments and constructive feedback via the Product Feedback Portal. If you have any information or throughs that you believe Apple would benefit from knowing, this would be the most appropriate channel though which to direct appropriate commentary.